The gaming world is buzzing with excitement following the debut of the ROG Xbox Ally handheld device from Asus and Microsoft last month. However, potential buyers might want to brace themselves for a surprise when it comes to pricing.

A recent leak unveiled a Google search screenshot that listed the Xbox Ally priced at a staggering 599 euros and the upgraded Ally X at 899 euros, as uncovered by Spanish gaming website 3DJuegos and reported by Insider Gaming. If these prices stick, expect to fork out around $700 for the Xbox Ally and a jaw-dropping $1,050 for the Ally X!

Although these prices come from Europe, it doesn't guarantee they'll mirror the US market. When the Xbox Series X launched back in November 2020, US and EU prices aligned closely. However, due to factors like currency and local taxes (which add around 20% VAT in Europe), the American price could differ significantly.

Let's break down the costs: if we exclude taxes, the prices convert to approximately 479 and 719 euros, equating to around $559 and $839 in US dollars. For context, the original ROG Ally debuted at $700 in 2023, and its successor, the ROG Ally X, was released for $800 in 2024.

But there's a looming concern that could drive these prices even higher: President Donald Trump's tariffs on imports. Microsoft has already raised the prices of their Xbox Series consoles earlier this year due to tariff impacts. With tariffs affecting electronics from China and the upcoming end of a tariff pause affecting Vietnam—where many electronics are produced—price hikes for the Xbox Ally could now be on the table.

As excitement builds, the Xbox Ally and Ally X are gearing up to go head-to-head with the Steam Deck, the frontrunner in the handheld gaming market. One of the significant downsides of Windows-based handhelds like the original ROG Ally is that Windows isn't as optimized for portable gaming as SteamOS, which leads to laggy performance. However, early glimpses of the Xbox Ally suggest it will offer a tailored Xbox experience, complete with an intuitive user interface that aims to outperform the clunky standard of Windows 11.

Mark your calendars! Both the Xbox Ally and Ally X are set to launch later this year, likely in time for the holiday rush. Stay tuned for more updates on pricing and release details!